Over the last few days we have heard a range of views and concerns about our handling of the decision to receive Jarryd Hayne into our DTS program in July 2019. 

We take these matters extremely seriously. 

While there were several measures, conditions and communications undertaken by us surrounding Mr Hayne’s attendance which have not been reported, and the decision to accept Mr Hayne itself was a difficult one, given not only due to his legal status at the time, but also the core values underlying the DTS program, we accept our decision has caused distress to some. 

We want to say sorry to all those impacted by our decision. 

We have begun an internal review to take action to seek to improve upon our existing processes concerning these types of difficult issues. This review will include us contacting former staff and students who were with us during this period to seek their feedback and address any concerns that they might have. We have also committed to obtaining independent external expert advice about our policies and procedures and to receive and implement recommendations on these important issues. 

As has always been an essential part of our values, beliefs and teachings, but it is important now more than ever to reinforce, violence against women in any form is unacceptable. We are determined to be as effective as we can in our commitment to ensure that those who train and volunteer with us are given the best care possible. As the health, safety and well-being of all staff and students is and has always been of the utmost importance to us, we are renewed in our determination to ensure this, and are committed to action any recommendations for improvement obtained through the review process. 

Should you have any feedback to provide us from your involvement with YWAM Perth about any of these issues or have any other concerns, please contact via the feedback e-mail form below.